Capitol Attack Defendants Freed Amid Controversial Executive Actions

United States: Donald Trump supporters locked up for the U.S. Capitol attack will exit prison on Tuesday after their new president issues a wide-reaching pardon through his newfound executive authority, as reported by Reuters.

The Republican president’s pardon of 1,500 defendants on Monday, Inauguration Day, drew outrage from lawmakers who were endangered in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, when thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent Congress from certifying his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.

Former Oath Keepers militia leader Stewart Rhodes was released early Tuesday after midnight in Cumberland, Maryland, where he was serving the 18-year prison sentence that was commuted by the newly installed president.

Despite staying away from the Capitol on Jan. 6 Rhodes received punishment for directing supporters to attack Congress before the voting certification process. He managed firearm storage at Virginia hotels within range of Washington to distribute weapons across the river during the strike.

“Donald Trump is ushering in a Golden Age for people that break the law and attempt to overthrow the government,” said Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

The riot occurred because Trump rejected the election results which created a historic threat to the peaceful power transition in America. During the attack, 140 police officers suffered assaults, while four people lost their lives to the violence.

Far-Right Groups Celebrate Early Releases

Leaders of the far-right Proud Boys group must soon exit prison following convictions for seditious conspiracy. During Trump’s inauguration ceremony on that Monday forty men with Proud Boys markings exchanged hostile words with protesters throughout Washington.

Trump pardons roughly 1,500 criminal defendants charged in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack https://t.co/wzTc5R2mAU via @nbcnews

— ADVANCED MEDIA GROUP, Ltd. (@ADVANCEDMEDIAG1) January 21, 2025

Following his second inauguration ceremony in the U.S. Rotunda, Trump released prison inmates, including the supporters who triggered violence during his first inauguration in 2017.

Global and Domestic Impacts Emerge

Trump started strict immigration enforcement while also banning wind power programs, ending support for electric cars, and opening offshore drilling zones. He ended US participation in both the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization.

He extended the deadline for TikTok as the platform’s Sunday shutdown caused a delay in his action.

Trump backed down from his stated plans to impose Mexico and Canada tariffs when the time came to act on them.

Donald Trump has issued a blanket pardon of 1,500 individuals who were convicted of offenses or faced charges relating to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Story: https://t.co/rRCPN6utQD pic.twitter.com/GnP7lRXvDT

— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 21, 2025

Courts likely will reject Trump’s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship protection for people born in America.

At his inaugural oath, Hillary Clinton laughed at this promise to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to that of the Gulf of America.

The altered government methods started having direct consequences right away. Migrants along the U.S.-Mexico border experienced deep sadness when their scheduled asylum meetings were suddenly canceled. Airplanes loaded with 1,600 Afghan refugees approved to enter the U.S. had to turn around at the government’s order, as reported by Reuters.

Economic Moves and Executive Orders

BREAKING: President Donald Trump has pardoned about 1,500 defendants charged in Jan. 6 attack on US Capitol. pic.twitter.com/qHWjoJUghH

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 21, 2025

Trump earns profit through his new high-profile role in American politics. The new cryptocurrency produced by Trump surged past $10 billion in value by Monday, while World Liberty Financial collected $300 million through token offerings.